In an email to supporters, Honea said, “As Mayor of Marana, I see the impact this economy is having on Arizonans every day. We’re working hard on the local level to create jobs and turn the economy around, but Washington puts up roadblocks at every turn. That’s why I’m supporting Jonathan Paton as our next U.S. Congressman.”

“Jonathan is a leader who gets it and will fight for us in Washington – not become part of the problem. Recent redistricting has carved a significant portion of Southern Arizona into a new sprawling district – Arizona’s First Congressional District – that scoops up Marana and northern Pima County, and spans all the way north to the border with Utah. Those of us in this region of Arizona need an advocate like Jonathan.”

Paton is a former Arizona Senator. He ran against Jesse Kelly in 2010 for the Congressional District 8 seat. He lost in the primary, and Kelly went on to lose to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Paton, a Tucson resident, graduated from the University of Arizona summa cum laude, and in 1999 enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Paton is running in CD1, which stretches from northern Pima County all the way to the Utah border, and encompasses many diverse communities including Marana, Oro Valley, Saddlebrooke, Casa Grande, Maricopa City, Globe, Safford, the White Mountains, Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Navajo Nation.